Denver gets a new college stadium

On Saturday, the University of Denver will dedicate the
school’s brand-new soccer stadium as part of an ambitious $6.7 million project
that includes what will be one of the premier strength and conditioning
facilities in the country.

Both DU's women's and men's teams will play matches to
christen the new facility, with the women taking on Wyoming (4 p.m.) and the
men capping the night with a match against NCAA D-II champion Fort Lewis College
(7 p.m.)

Pioneers men’s assistant coach Ryan Pflugrad explained the
school has always had a plan to dedicate the stadium this spring, even though
the playing surface was actually ready last summer.

“This is going to be
a great place to play,” Pflugrad told MLSsoccer.com. “We are trying to build a program here
which the community can be proud of and support. The stadium gives us a home.”

The new stadium is certainly symbolic of the ambitions of
the revamped men’s program, which includes Pflugrad, head coach Bobby Muuss
and new assistant coach Carson Porter. All three were previously together with
national powerhouse Wake Forest.

“From a recruiting standpoint, along with a great university
and a great city, we now have a great facility which we hope will help attract
some of the nation’s top players,” Pflugrad said.

The new strength and conditioning facility, built underneath
the new stands and open to all DU varsity athletes in any sport, could help
attract such new stars. Pflugrad said it was one of the most impressive facilities
for a non-footballing school in the country.